CELEBRITY chef Paul Heathcote's has seen his restaurant regain the food award it lost last year.

The Longridge restaurant lost its one-star rating in the famous Michelin Guide after a renovation and name change.

But this year's published guide gives the establishment the coveted star back again.

Heathcote's is listed along with lesser-known Italian restaurant, Ramsons, of Market Place, Ramsbottom, which has been given an award for good food at moderate prices.

Paul said: "We are absolutely delighted. Last year it was well documented we had lost our star for changing the name.

"Michelin explained that our change of philosophy to make the restaurant a great value, more accessible and casual dining establishment was a dramatic difference, and the guide book felt uneasy about this.

"Naturally, my staff felt deflated as quality in food and service has never been a compromise, and for the first time our restaurant was without an award."

The prestigious awards are recognised across Europe, with restaurants competing to keep their stars. Abdulla Naseem, chef at Ramsons, said the key to a small restaurant being included in the guide is the quality of the ingredients.

He said: "The secret is our low prices, and our products. Everything we use is fresh and we get most of it from Milan market, in Italy.

"The rest of the food we get fresh from Britain. We never use frozen produce."

Ramsons gets a new Bib Gourmand award for serving a good, three-course meal for less than £25.

Paul Cordle, spokesman for Michelin Travel Publications, said: "The awards are purely for the food on the plate in the case of the star system.

"The new Bib Gourmand rating is a little bit different. You have to have three courses for less than £25. It stands for good food at moderate prices."